Abstract

A wide range of breast lesions can arise during pregnancy and lactation, from benign, inflammatory diseases to malignant lesions. Prevention of acute inflammatory lesions of breast needs a good breast care regime and health education. In the light of this, we conducted this study to understand the effect of regular screening during lactational period as preventive measure. Materials and methods: In Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, the General Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial and Gandhi Memorial Hospital, affiliated with Shyam Shah Medical College, have collaborated to undertake a prospective observational study. Primigravidae in their third trimester of pregnancy (for registration and education on breast care) and breast feeding women during the 15-month research period [1 April 2021 to 30 June 2022]. All the study participants were provided informed written consent forms before the start of the study. Strict confidentiality about their particulars was maintained throughout the study. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics committee before the start of the study. Results: The most common presentation during follow up is Mastalgia(16.60%), and only 12 % presented with painful lump leading to abscess , and majority 58.20% did not showed any symptoms. during screening total 209 cases were examined via USG bilateral breast out of which maximum showed mastitis (34.92%), and 31.56% showed abscess formation. Next Majority showed no abnormal finding (25.8%) on USG. Small percentage of cases (4.34%) also showed galactocele formation. When compared to historical cohorts, the percentage of breast abscess, mastitis and mastitis with galactocele were significantly lower in the present breast care regime advised to the mothers. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that regular screening and breast care education can significantly reduce the incidence of inflammatory breast disease in lactational mothers, which will eventually lead to uninterrupted 6 month breastfeeding absolutely vital for growth and development of newborn. Also in many studies breastfeeding have found to be good factor in reducing risk of breast cancer in later life. While most women receive appropriate management advice from health professionals, a clinically significant number of women are advised to stop breastfeeding from the affected breast or to stop breastfeeding altogether.

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